Definitely a "facelift" imho.

Liking this very much indeed. I agree, I don't think the new shape will suit the vRS, but for the other models its lovely. Very Merc-esque, which is a good thing

New engines sound great, 1.4TSI sounds good, but the pick has to be the 1.8TSI. Disappointed to see no CR engines in the diesels (except the vRS).

Wish they'd done a bit more to the back though :(.

Overall, well done Skoda.

The Golf 5 is being replaced early as the chassis/suspension setup is very expensive to manufacture. Strangely though I thought the Octy has the same setup

The proofs in the pudding:

Skoda Octavia | Auto Express News | News | Auto Express

The proofs in the pudding:

Skoda Octavia | Auto Express News | News | Auto Express

I think I'm one of only a handful who quite like that new steering wheel (certainly the little scrolly wheel things are much easier to use than buttons), but those photos are the first to do real justice to how vile that wood trim really is!

I think I'm one of only a handful who quite like that new steering wheel (certainly the little scrolly wheel things are much easier to use than buttons), but those photos are the first to do real justice to how vile that wood trim really is!

it looks a bit better in the 3 spoke leather that I saw on the superb the other day

I think I'm one of only a handful who quite like that new steering wheel (certainly the little scrolly wheel things are much easier to use than buttons), but those photos are the first to do real justice to how vile that wood trim really is!

I agree 100% with you

So no signs of the sports model in any of the photos, but a 170hp CR engine noted. Does this mean a VRS, or is that engine to be available in other trim levels?????

I like the new steering wheels, they look good and are a bit different. Overall I prefer the interior changes to the outside ones, think the interior is now looking absolutely great!

So no signs of the sports model in any of the photos, but a 170hp CR engine noted. Does this mean a VRS, or is that engine to be available in other trim levels?????

Apart from the 1.4TSI, the engines are all the same the current crop, aren't they? They've tweaked the petrol vRS to bring it down a tax bracket, but I'm disappointed there's no mention of the 211PS 2.0TFSI as per Audi A4, but I guess it's a bit early for Audi to be passing their new engines down the pecking order..

it's a bit early for Audi to be passing their new engines down the pecking order..

1.8T is also developed by Audi and was mounted quite early on Octavia

Not bad:thumbup:, just dont like the grille the top chrome bit is too big IMO:thumbdwn:

Just been in to my local dealer. Latest info is that the facelifted scout will be available in March (detailed spec in Jan) with the vRS coming in June.

So woul you (help please!) get a facelift L&K, or Elegance or a pre-facelift vRS. I can get deals on both direct from Skoda on an emergency services contract and split on what to do!

PS they have the Anthracite Grey vRS in stock (noted as limited edition) anyone know what is different - apart from the colour?

Take a facelifted L&K with 1.8TSI engine & DSG.

Petrol is definitley off the list, we must have diesels for economy and CO2, so.............

PS also auto boxes, no matter how great, do not give the right levels of control for high speed response diving.

PS they have the Anthracite Grey vRS in stock (noted as limited edition) anyone know what is different - apart from the colour?

This is the 1 I'd have! If I were in the market for an OctaviaII at the moment... Besides the facelift looks daft, like something Kia or some Chinese ripoff of an OctaviaII.:banghead:

Looks crap, but I'd love the adaptive headlights. Been driving around most of the week in a Passat equipped with these. Cool.

There's a test of the Octy facelift in today's Autoexpress, quite favourable. They like the changes to the inside and outside of the car.

It also mentions that the 2.0 CR TDIs will be available from spring 2009.

PS also auto boxes, no matter how great, do not give the right levels of control for high speed response diving.

Really?????:confused:

This is the Auto Ex. article - does this mean that the 1.4 TSI will be a DSG only?

This is the Auto Ex. article - does this mean that the 1.4 TSI will be a DSG only?

No, it will be available with a 6 speed manual too.

PS also auto boxes, no matter how great, do not give the right levels of control for high speed response diving.

Thanks for that news.

I shall let Sebastian Loeb and Lewis Hamilton know straight away.

This is the Auto Ex. article - does this mean that the 1.4 TSI will be a DSG only?

I'm very glad to hear about 143HP Common Rail comming at spring. I was just wondering if it will have DMF or SMF.

Believe me auto boxes are a no go for high speed respnse driving, remembering that Formula 1 cars have a nice race track, not real roads, besides which they operate theirs in manual mode - not auto change. So to use the DSG it would need to be always in manual change mode to be safe in high speed response, so the manual is best and cheaper.

Believe me auto boxes are a no go for high speed respnse driving, remembering that Formula 1 cars have a nice race track, not real roads, besides which they operate theirs in manual mode - not auto change. So to use the DSG it would need to be always in manual change mode to be safe in high speed response, so the manual is best and cheaper.

DSG is not an "auto" box. Have you tried the DSG in manual mode ?? Also if the plappy paddle option comes on stream which I believe it is, not having to take your hands of the wheel to change gear during "response" driving could only be a Brucy Bonus.

....Believe me auto boxes are a no go for high speed respnse driving,......

Well where have you been instructed to drive? Not trying to be funny but have done a little bit of that myself and have the exact opposite view! And indeed have used fully auto cars! :confused: